Background story: A handyman was hired where I live to take a look at a faulty heater up in the attic. The entrance to the attic is located inside my closet. Some time after the maintenance guy had left I noticed what looked to be some kind of sand all covering some of my clothes I had on the shelving. At the time I didn't think much of it so I used a dust pan to collect it all up and disposed of it in the trash. I was curious, so I did a quick Google search for types of attic insulation. Come to find out the stuff I had been cleaning up was most likely vermiculite, an insulator that's known for being contaminated with asbestos. I'VE BEEN FREAKING OUT OVER THIS. I'm worried that I'm going to develop some asbestos related illness sometime within the next decade.Has anyone here gone through similar exposure? I'd like some recs on my next course of action. So far I'm thinking of tossing out all the clothes in my closet to minimize the risk of contaminating other areas of the house. Would seeing a doctor be a good idea in this case? From what I've read up on the risk of developing illness is relatively low for one time exposures, and it's mostly people with repeated exposure who are most at risk. I'm not sure making an appointment would be all that helpful since it would take years before I develop any illness. How fucked am I?
>Google>most likelyWhat you need first are cold, hard facts. Find someone who knows about asbestos and make sure they confirm that it is actually friable asbestos. Until then you can't be sure one way or another. If they confirm that it is indeed friable, then you can move forwards. Speak to a GP or physician about how you were exposed to it, the period of exposure, etc. Chances are you probably aren't in much danger. But if you're still paranoid, then professionals are going to be your real help, not people on here.>Has anyone here gone through similar exposure?I had to attend a shitty asbestos awareness training session for a job I had years ago. My grandfather died of mesothelioma. But given your current state, that is not a conversation we should have right now.
>>32320143You're probably right on getting the attic checked by a professional. Hopefully it isn't too expensive at this point though It'd be worth it for getting rid of the uncertainty. Sorry about your grandfather btw.
>>32320132I work in the asbestos industry. It is quite rare to find vermiculite asbestos in lofts. Most of the time the vermiculite is non-asbestos. That said, it does happen, and it will be expensive to have it professionally removed, as it's HSE-licensed work. You could pay for some cowboys to come clear it out but I wouldn't live in that house afterwards.First things first, an asbestos surveyor to come and sample it.
>>32320204>You're probably right on getting the attic checked by a professional. Hopefully it isn't too expensive at this point though It'd be worth it for getting rid of the uncertainty.Like the other anon pointed out: Initially you're only getting a surveyor to take a look and see what's up. If it turns out it's not asbestos, then it ends there. If you're renting, then depending on where in the world you are, it may be the responsibility of the owner/landlord/manager to have someone remove it professionally. If you own the place then it will come out of your own pocket.>Sorry about your grandfather btw.It sucks, but such is life. He lived in a time when everyone was lied to about the dangers of it, and was exposed to it for years for it to do the damage it did to him. Not only that, but he'd been smoking ciggies his whole life, as well. So when he was hospitalised with lung problems in his 80s, everybody thought it was that at first. It was only after they really checked him out that they realised it was meso.
>>32320221>in his 80sNigga was on his way out anyway. Honestly why would you want to live longer than that? This is why people should smoke cigarettes and hope to die in their 60s - 70s before they become a burden on their family an society. Fuck being demented, give me lung cancer.
>>32320132Don't people who get sick from asbestos breathe it in all day for decades? Getting some on your clothes is almost certainly fine
>>32323841After doing some digging I've been getting mixed signals regarding who gets sick from asbestos. Some say I shouldn't worry since brief exposure isn't likely to result in Illness and only those who've had long term exposure are at risk. While I've also come across sources that claim there isn't a safe amount of asbestos you can be exposed to and exposure should be avoided at all costs. Thing is you don't want to inhale it and asbestos particles can easily become airborne if disturbed. I'm throwing out my clothes out of fears of spreading it throughout the house.
